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Delicacy

463 votes

A French woman mourning over the death of her husband three years prior is courted by a Swedish co-worker.

Status: Released

Released Date: 2011-12-20

Runtime: 108 mins

Director: David Foenkinos, Stéphane Foenkinos

Writer: David Foenkinos

Spoken language: Français, svenska

Genres: Drama, Comedy, Romance

Original title: Delicacy

Production Companies: StudioCanal, France 2 Cinéma, 2.4.7. Films

Production Countries: France

Cast

Nathalie Kerr

Audrey Tautou

Markus Lundell

François Damiens

Chloé, Nathalie's secretary

Mélanie Bernier

Sophie, Nathalie's best friend

Joséphine de Meaux

François, Nathalie's husband

Pio Marmaï

Charles Delamain

Bruno Todeschini

Pierre, Sophie's companion

Marc Citti

Benoît, member of Nathalie's team

Alexandre Pavloff

Madeleine, Nathalie's grandmother

Monique Chaumette

François' mother

Vittoria Scognamiglio

François' father

Olivier Cruveiller

Nathalie's mother

Ariane Ascaride

Nathalie's father

Christophe Malavoy

Ingrid, Charles's secretary

Audrey Fleurot

Reviews

Geronimo1967

What I didn't quite get from this is why the recently bereaved "Nathalie" (Audrey Tautou) would have moved on from the cute and cuddly "François" (Pio Marmaï) to the rather stockily structured Swede "Markus" (François Damiens). Anyway, when the former man in her life goes for an ill-advised jog, she finds herself widowed, back at work and largely rudderless. Her boss (Bruno Todeschini) has always been keen, but she makes it rather abruptly (and entertainingly) clear that not even on a desert island. Then - well after about three years - she encounters her new Swedish colleague. She doesn't exactly mince her words (or actions) and that leaves him in a semi-pleasant state of confusion. To say she initially blows hot and cold would be an understatement, but as things settle down it might just prove possible that something substantial might happen between them - but first she must come to terms with, and try to deal with a grief that still lingers. Along the way, there are some entertaining swipes at the politics of the office and of friendships where opinions are never far away - wanted or otherwise. The denouement is a little quirky. It's not what I was expecting but did somehow top off this meringue of a film. It's got just enough of a frame to hold it together, but is pretty mushy underneath. Tautou has a charm about her - she reminds me slightly of Audrey Hepburn, and the direction allows her to present her characterisation engagingly as the essence of the film. Even though it's all a little listless at times, I did quite enjoy it.

2024-04-06

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